Meet City Council Candidate Melanie Tringali

How many years have you lived in Medford? 

I have lived in Medford for 30 years. 

Please describe your professional background and education. 

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in business. Over the past 20+ years, I have built a career in marketing, business development, and operations across high tech, finance, and education. I currently serve as director of demand generation and marketing at Analytix Solutions, where I lead strategic growth initiatives across industries including healthcare, real estate, restaurants, and nonprofits.

Throughout my career, I’ve developed a reputation for bringing people and resources together to get things done. I specialize in building relationships, fostering collaboration, and turning complex challenges into practical solutions. My experience across multiple sectors has strengthened my ability to evaluate issues from different perspectives and drive results that benefit both organizations and communities.

What, if any, city positions (appointed or elected) have you held, and for how long? 

I have served in several city-appointed and volunteer roles that reflect my long-standing commitment to Medford. I served on the Medford Family Network Advisory Board for over four years, co-chaired the Columbus (now Missituk) School PTO for two years, and was a member of the Medford Historic District Commission for three years. I have also been a member of the Medford Rotary Club for the past two years, currently serving as a board member. In addition, for several years I organized annual park cleanups that benefited local neighborhoods

What volunteer roles have you participated in that you feel have made a difference in Medford? 

I believe every volunteer role I’ve taken on has made a meaningful impact in Medford. 

• Medford Family Network – I helped bring MFN to social media for the first time, expanding outreach and improving access to information and programming for families across the community.
• Columbus/Missituk School PTO – As co-chair, I worked with my team to eliminate a financial deficit and raise nearly $20,000 in one year, directly funding field trips, classroom activities, and teacher support.
• Historic District Commission – I was instrumental in developing the South Street Historic District, ensuring preservation of Medford’s history and character.
• Park Cleanups – I organized annual cleanups, particularly at Capen Street Park, improving the facility for residents and saving the city money on maintenance.
• Medford Rotary Club – Through Rotary service and now as a board member, I’ve worked to support local initiatives and strengthen community connections.

These roles reflect my commitment to improving quality of life in Medford through practical, hands-on leadership.

Why should residents vote for you? Residents should vote for me because I bring the skills, experience, and commitment needed to move Medford forward. With decades of business and leadership experience, I know how to manage budgets, lead teams, and make informed decisions. I have a proven ability to build relationships, work across different perspectives, and get things done.

I am a strong listener who can take in many viewpoints and distill them into practical, common-sense solutions. My focus has always been on what is best for Medford and its residents — improving our neighborhoods, strengthening our community, and ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

As a lifelong hard worker, dedicated volunteer, and 30-year Medford resident, I am deeply invested in this city. I understand the challenges we face, and I have the leadership, determination, and vision to help us meet them.

What do you believe are the top 3 issues currently facing the city of Medford? How do you specifically plan to address those issues?

 – Budget AccountabilityFor the past four years, Medford has carried over $25 million in free cash, while at the same time passing a tax override. Residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent, and we need greater transparency in our budgeting process. As a business leader, I will push for line-item clarity, smarter financial planning, and responsible use of funds. I will also prioritize attracting more commercial tax revenue so that we are not overly reliant on residential taxpayers.

 – Zoning and Development I oppose blanket rezoning that increases density and that doesn’t address the real impacts on neighborhoods, infrastructure, and public safety. Medford needs balanced, thoughtful planning that protects the character of our neighborhoods while encouraging the right kind of commercial and business development to strengthen our tax base.

– InfrastructureEven after last year’s tax override and the hiring of new staff, our streets and sidewalks remain in disrepair. This is unacceptable. I will hold city leadership accountable for making real progress on infrastructure improvements, ensuring that investments result in safe, walkable sidewalks and well-maintained streets for residents across all neighborhoods.

Transparency and communication are vital in representative government. What steps will you or have you taken to keep your constituents informed about local decisions and to explain your voting rationale?

I believe listening is the foundation of good leadership. I will make it a priority to listen intently to residents and ensure their concerns are heard and represented. To strengthen communication, I will support returning City Council meetings to a weekly schedule, so issues are addressed in a timely way. Meetings should also be consistent, start on time, and end at a reasonable hour so more residents can participate.

Beyond meetings, I will work to expand communication channels, including the use of the Medford City Newsletter, community forums, and neighborhood meetings, so residents can stay informed and share their input. I also believe in being accessible and approachable — whether through email, phone calls, or in-person conversations — to make sure every resident feels their voice matters.

What specific methods will you use to gather and represent your constituents’ perspectives on issues that come before the City Council?

As a city councilor, I believe it is important to be accessible and responsive. I believe in creating multiple ways for people to share their concerns — whether in person, by phone, through email, or online platforms — so no voice is left out.

When issues come before the City Council, I will actively bring forward the perspectives I’ve heard, ensuring that decisions reflect the needs of residents, not just political agendas. My goal is to be a true representative of the people, bridging communication between City Hall and the community in a transparent, respectful, and consistent way.

The past two years, the City Council has been updating the zoning across the city. Many residents feel the process has been too quick and has covered too much at once. What are your thoughts on that? If elected, how would you approach zoning?

The recent zoning process in Medford has been far too rushed, too broad, and lacking in proper communication and public input. Updating zoning is one of the most impactful decisions a city can make, and residents deserve a transparent, thoughtful process — not blanket changes pushed through without adequate studies or engagement.

In December of 2024, I personally raised concerns during the Salem Street rezoning, where I questioned the lack of studies on traffic, parking, neighborhood impact, and public safety, and called for better communication with residents, such as reverse 911 notifications and translated communications. These basic steps were not taken, leaving residents uninformed and neighborhoods at risk.

If elected, I will fight for a zoning process that is deliberate, transparent, and inclusive. That means:

• Conducting proper studies before proposing changes, including traffic, parking, school capacity, and infrastructure impact.
• Engaging residents early and often through meaningful outreach, not after decisions have already been made.
• Prioritizing growth that strengthens our commercial tax base and revitalizes our squares — not blanket high-density rezoning that erodes neighborhood character and strains infrastructure.

I believe Medford deserves smart planning that brings prosperity not density. Growth should support our residents, schools, and public safety — not overwhelm them.

There have been City Council meetings that have gone past midnight. Do you really think these marathon meetings are serving the public? Should there be a time cap on meetings for everyone’s sake?

A resounding YES. Marathon meetings that go well past midnight do not serve residents or promote good governance. If elected, I will make a resolution to ensure meetings start on time, end by a reasonable hour — preferably 11 p.m. — and return to a weekly schedule. This approach will make meetings more efficient, accessible, and transparent for the community.